Meet the Honorary Grand Marshals of the 2025 Rockford Area Pride Parade! Reception on March 19, 2024 at The LIAM Foundation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rockford, IL – March 11, 2025 – The Rockford Area Pride Committee is honored to announce the selection of the Honorary Grand Marshals for the 2025 Rockford Area Pride Parade, representing the themes of "Celebrate," "Remember," and "Unite"—three powerful and meaningful pillars that highlight the strength, resilience, and love that define the LGBTQIA+ community in and around Rockford.

The individuals chosen for these prestigious roles embody the essence of pride, not only through their personal achievements but also through their unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity, equality, and justice for all. Each of the grand marshals has played an instrumental role in shaping a more vibrant, accepting, and supportive community, ensuring that voices, especially those of marginalized groups, are heard and celebrated.

As the 2025 Pride Parade approaches (June 7, 2025 at 12:00pm), the community is reminded of the incredible journey the LGBTQIA+ community has undertaken—one filled with struggles and triumphs, with moments of grief and moments of joy. The selection of these grand marshals, each of whom has given so much to the cause, reflects the deep and lasting impact they’ve had on the lives of countless individuals. It is through their work, their courage, and their dedication that the community continues to grow stronger and more unified each day.

Public Reception - Meet the Honorary Grand Marshals

A special reception will be held on March 19, 2025, at 5:30 PM at The LIAM Foundation in Rockford, where the 2025 Honorary Grand Marshals will be introduced to the public and will receive their certificates and decorations. This will be an opportunity for the community to gather and celebrate these incredible individuals in advance of the Pride Parade.

2025 Honorary Grand Marshals

Celebrate: Auntie Heroine

Auntie Heroine

Auntie Heroine, a distinguished drag performer from Rockford, Illinois, has been selected as the Honorary Grand Marshal representing the "Celebrate" category. Known for their quick wit and insult comedy as an emcee, Auntie Heroine has been a prominent figure in the local drag scene for a decade. They gained national recognition as a finalist on The Boulet Brothers' Dragula Season 6, where they showcased their signature mix of glamour and horror-inspired performances.

Auntie Heroine is fiercely proud of their hometown, making it clear that Rockford is an essential part of their identity. On The Boulet Brothers' Dragula, they famously declared, "Let's get one thing clear: I'm not from Chicago, I'm from Rockford. I don't know why these [folks] keep lumping me in with the Chicago [queens]." Their unapologetic love for Rockford has made them a hometown hero, proudly representing the city on both regional and national stages.

Beyond their television success, Auntie Heroine is a mentor and advocate within the drag community, having founded the Haus of Heroine to support and uplift emerging drag artists. Not only have they stood up for the LGBTQIA+ community—especially trans and nonbinary youth—they also champion the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Auntie uses their platform to advocate for equality and amplify underrepresented voices, making them a powerful force in both the drag and activist communities.

Remember: Curt McKay

Curt McKay

Curt McKay’s legacy is deeply tied to a pivotal era in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, making his selection as an honorary grand marshal in the “remember” category for the 2025 Rockford Area Pride Parade especially significant. His work came during a transitional time when societal attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ individuals were shifting, yet many barriers to equality remained.

As the first full-time director of the University of Illinois’ LGBT Resource Center, McKay took on a leadership role at a time when LGBTQIA+ visibility and rights were rapidly evolving. This was just two years after the landmark Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas (2003), which struck down sodomy laws in the United States, and a year before Illinois legalized civil unions. However, marriage equality was still a decade away, and many LGBTQIA+ individuals faced significant legal and social discrimination. In this climate, McKay worked tirelessly to foster a sense of belonging and safety for students.

Under his leadership, the LGBT Resource Center became a beacon of support for students navigating both personal identity and external challenges. McKay’s primary goal was to create a space in which all members of the campus and larger queer and ally communities would feel valued and welcome, regardless of sexuality, gender identity, race, age, ableness, or status. He expanded educational programming, increased access to resources, and worked with university administration to improve policies affecting LGBTQIA+ students. His work helped establish a more inclusive climate in higher education at a time when such advocacy was still met with resistance in many parts of the country.

By honoring McKay in the "remember" category, the Rockford Area Pride Committee acknowledges not only his contributions to education and community service but also the critical role he played in a transformative period for LGBTQIA+ rights. His work reminds us of the struggles and victories that paved the way for today’s progress while inspiring continued advocacy for the future.

Unite: Jenna Goldsmith

Jenna Goldsmith

Jenna Goldsmith is a leader in Rockford’s LGBTQIA+ community, and is dedicated to empowering marginalized voices through poetry, education, and activism. Her selection as the honorary grand marshal in the "unite" category highlights her ongoing efforts to foster inclusivity, empowerment, and artistic expression in Rockford and beyond.

As Rockford’s Second Poet Laureate (2023/24), she made poetry a tool for healing and self-expression, leading workshops at the Family Peace Center for survivors of interpersonal violence and mentoring Rockford’s Youth Poet Laureate, Trinity Rucker. She actively supports the LIAM Foundation, hosting book clubs and expanding access to LGBTQIA+ literature.

Goldsmith’s impact extends into academia, where she serves as a lecturer at Rockford University and has a strong background in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She previously served as Assistant Director & Advisor in Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies at Illinois State University and Interim Director of the Low Residency MFA Program at Oregon State University-Cascades. Her courses—ranging from Queer Theory to Women’s Literature and Creative Writing—reflect her dedication to gender equity and inclusive pedagogy.

Her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to inclusivity make her a fitting choice to lead this year’s Pride Parade, celebrating the power of unity and resilience in Rockford’s LGBTQIA+ community.

The Selection Process

The process of selecting the Honorary Grand Marshals for the 2025 Rockford Area Pride Parade was an incredibly difficult and thoughtful task for the Rockford Area Pride Committee. This year, the committee received numerous nominations from community members who highlighted individuals that have made profound contributions to the local LGBTQIA+ community.

Darcy Pinasco, co-chair of the Rockford Area Pride Committee, shared:

"We are so grateful to everyone who submitted nominations for the 2025 Honorary Grand Marshals. It was not an easy decision because there are so many deserving individuals that represent the best of our community. Those chosen are shining examples of diversity, resilience, and strength within the LGBTQIA+ community. However, they represent just a small part of the incredible and vibrant community in and around Rockford. We are proud to honor them and to continue celebrating the contributions of so many others."

Join Us for the 2025 Rockford Area Pride Parade

The 2025 Rockford Area Pride Parade, scheduled for June 7, 2025, promises to be a vibrant celebration of love, acceptance, and progress. Participants and attendees can look forward to a day filled with colorful floats, performances, and festivities that honor the spirit of the LGBTQIA+ community.

For more information about the parade, the Rockford Area Pride Committee, or how to get involved, please visit the Committee's website at www.rockfordareapride.org or contact the Committee at info@rockfordareapride.org.

About Rockford Area Pride

The Rockford Area Pride Committee is dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the Rockford community.

Our Mission: To amplify and support LGBTQ+ voices and experiences in the Stateline area through inclusive spaces and events.

Our Vision: We support local LGBTQ+ advocacy groups by creating and maintaining spaces and events through community contributions and sponsorships.

Media Contact:

Rockford Area Pride Committee

📧 Email: info@rockfordareapride.org

🌐 Website: www.rockfordareapride.org